Candidates target property tax in Benton County

FOLEY – The race for Benton County District 2 commissioner took a surprising turn last week when one of the three candidates ended his campaign.

Although all three names still will appear on the ballot in the Aug. 12 primary election, Miles Seppelt is dropping out, citing family reasons.

That leaves Denny Niess and Edward "Ed" Popp to vie for the seat occupied by Joe Wollak since 2006. Wollak is not seeking re-election.

Both candidates agree on the biggest issue facing Benton County: The county's property tax rate is too high, and the only way to bring it down is to promote economic development.

District 2 includes Rice and the townships of Alberta, Graham, Langola, Mayhew Lake and Watab. The district has seen changes recently, especially the construction of a new interchange on U.S. Highway 10 at Rice.

The candidates stressed the importance of bringing new businesses to Benton County, which has long struggled with a lack of industry and property wealth compared with neighboring counties.

The county has suffered some recent economic blows, including the closure of the Verso paper mill in Sartell and Quad/Graphics' announcement earlier this summer that it is closing its commercial printing business in St. Cloud.

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Denny Niess(Photo: Times photo)

History in business

Niess, 59, grew up in Foley. He has worked for Leighton Broadcasting for 35 years, starting as a sales manager and becoming a vice president.

Niess also owns a 500-acre game preserve called Autumn Antlers in Morrison County as well as a deer farm with about 150 whitetail deer off Benton County Road 2.

In 2011, he bought Golden Spike Speedway in Sauk Rapids, renovated it and renamed it Granite City Speedway.

Although Niess has served on a state advisory board that helps draft rules for deer and elk farms, this is his first attempt at an elected position.

"I wanted to bring some things back to the county. I don't need the job," he said.

Niess said he's worked to help elect numerous legislators on both sides of the aisle. He said he was approached by several people with local businesses who said the county needs someone who understands business and has the ear of state and federal lawmakers.

Niess said he's concerned about the county's high property tax rate and wants to help bring new businesses into the county.

"Right now, our taxes are basically small business, agriculture and housing because we don't have enough industry developed," he said.

Niess said he has a lot of business connections that would be beneficial for the county.

"It's about being connected, and that's where we really haven't had the opportunities to be as connected as we should be," he said.

Niess also stressed his knowledge of finance, budgets and banking, which he said would be beneficial for businesses.

"I can open up the doors for them and help them with getting financing, which is always a big part of developing business," he said.

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Ed Popp(Photo: Times photo)

A farmer's view

Popp, 61, was born in Langola Township and has lived there his entire life. He farmed with his parents until he and his wife, Kathy, bought their own farm down the road, where they raise dairy cows, corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

"We're primarily an agricultural county and I'm the only candidate that's got a real farm background," he said.

Farming has given him a good background in business as well as an appreciation for natural resources, Popp said.

"We got a lot of young people that are turning to agriculture, and I hope we can leave this a better place for them or a chance to at least be in agriculture."

Popp was a supervisor on the Langola Township board for eight years and has been chairman for the last three years. He said he's learned a lot about local government during his tenure on the township board, and he stressed his ability to listen to all sides.

"Listen to what people want and if it works financially or if you can make a dollar or save a buck, that's what you do," Popp said, describing his approach.

Popp said the condition of the county's roads are a priority for him. He wants to see a 10-year comprehensive road improvement plan, which he said would help draw businesses to cities like Rice and Foley.

"We're making progress on that, but we've still got a long way to go compared to our counties to the north and and to the west," Popp said.

No spending cuts

For a change, the candidates for the District 2 race aren't talking about major spending cuts as a way to reduce the property tax rate.

The candidates suggested that the county may have been short-sighted in some of its cuts, such as reducing the economic development director from a full-time staffer to a part-time consultant.

Niess said the county should hire a full-time grant writer to help find new sources of revenue.

"Sometimes you have a spend money to make money," he said.

Niess noted that much of the county's spending goes toward programs and services that are mandated by state and federal law. He said if he's elected, he wants to work at the state level on changing some of those mandates.

Popp also said he supports hiring a grant writer.

"We have not been handling well compared to the counties around us," he said. "I don't believe we've got our fair share."

Popp also said he supports making the process for getting a residential building permit easier and less expensive.

"If we can't make a little simpler task and a little cheaper, that's why people move away," he said.

Little Rock Lake

District 2 includes a majority of the Little Rock Lake watershed, which has struggled with water quality issues and is the target of a cleanup plan as part of the state's effort to improve impaired waters.

Both candidates said they believe it's important for the county to continue to support the improvement of the watershed.

Popp is a member of the stakeholder committee that has been working on the Little Rock watershed's issues, and said he's been making changes on his own farm to reduce runoff.

"Part of it is my theory is everybody's got to get along," Popp said. That includes farmers, property owners on the lake and people who live in the nearby cities, he said.

Niess said he has a vested interest in the health of Little Rock because he lives on the north end of the lake. He said he has the support of some of the area's biggest farmers.

"I understand both sides the lake side and the agriculture side, and we need to work together," Niess said.

Follow Kirsti Marohn on Twitter @kirstimarohn.

Denny Niess

Age: 59.

Occupation: Vice president of Leighton Enterprises; owner of Granite City Speedway; owner of Autumn Antlers game preserve.

Previous elected office: None.

Family: Two adult children.

Edward "Ed" Popp

Age: 61.

Occupation: Farmer.

Previous elected office: Langola Township supervisor for eight years; township board chairman for three years.